TexMessage

Friday, September 28

Good morning, TexMessagers! Are you satisfied with the administration’s handling of the situation in Libya?

TEXclusive

It’s been over two weeks since the death of America’s Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three other U.S. Government personnel. And while Romney’s campaign has eased off their criticism of the current administration’s handling of the situation after their initial attack, Texas lawmakers are just itching for answers.

Rep. Kay Granger and Rep. Lamar Smith, joined by four other members of Congress, sent a letter to the White House yesterday formally requesting a joint hearing so that they can be updated on FBI’s investigation of the situation in Benghazi.

As far as these lawmakers are concerned, after the first briefing “many of the members’ questions were left unanswered.” They are still concerned with the Administration’s reluctance to refer to the attack as an act of terrorism and wonder why the U.S. was not better prepared for situation such as this in a post Sept. 11, 2001 world.

“Media reports indicate investigators were prevented from arriving in Libya until more than a week after the attack, but it is not clear that they have gone to Benghazi and have, therefore, been unable to secure valuable information, such as the Ambassador’s journal. The FBI has expertise in these situations, and they have a role to play. However, this seems like a pre-9/11 mindset – treating an act of war solely as a criminal matter, rather than also prioritizing the gathering of intelligence to prevent future attacks. Moreover, given that violence in the region continues unabated, what actions are we undertaking to deter terrorists from capitalizing on the successful Benghazi attack, or launching similar attacks elsewhere in the region or in the homeland?”

Granger and Smith are not the only ones dissatisfied with the Administration’s handling of the situation in Benhazi. “FBI still hasn’t been to Benghazi?” wrote Sen. John Cornyn on his Facebook yesterday.

And in a recent interview with Fox News, Rep. Mac Thornberry went as far as to suggest that the Obama administration won’t refer to the Sept. 11 Libya attack as terrorism because it would undermine President Obama’s success of killing Osama bin Laden.

Headlines from TxPotomac’s 2012 presidential campaign coverage and more

Reader Comment of the Day

So none of the 4.3 million latino/hispanic voters in Texas, or the millions in other states has any form of photo ID? How are they disenfranchised if they have identification? I’d say that’s just another example of the hyperbole (gross exaggeration) for opponents of such bills.

Texas Watch

TxPotomac lets you know what stories to look out for.

Today:

? Economic indicators: Personal income and outlays

? Council on Foreign Relations will hold a discussion on U.S. competitiveness and job growth at 12:30 p.m.

? Congress is not in session. Have you seen your local lawmaker lately?